NCOs help with air cover

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Karen Petitt
  • Multinational Corps-Iraq Public Affairs
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) --  More than 200 noncommissioned officers are helping the Army by providing air cover for patrols protecting convoys, performing raids, responding to mortar and road attacks, and training Iraqis to provide their own security.

They are part of a tactical air control party, which is a self-supporting team made up of communications, weather, radio, intelligence, logistics and special forces people. With their combined efforts, they can call in an F-15 Eagle to perform a show of force, an AC-130 gunship to eliminate nests of insurgent forces, or an unmanned aerial vehicle to bring in surveillance intel, among other missions.

“Our role is to support the coalition ground forces in order to set the stage for a new Iraqi government to eventually become independent,” said Lt. Col. Neil Roghair, air support operations center director here. “We are using airpower in very unconventional ways to support an unconventional mission. At the heart of our mission are highly skilled (noncommissioned officers) who bring the right assets to the right people at the right time.”

Colonel Roghair said air control used to be an all-officer job, but years ago Air Force officials began allowing NCOs to do the job.

“It has paid big dividends and they have emerged as the stars of the show in Iraq,” the colonel said. “The missions here involve bombs and bullets, but they also include surveillance, car-chases and flying airplanes over tense situations to 'send a message.’ Our (tactical air control NCOs) make incredible things happen over here and very few people are aware of them.”

It is people such as Tech. Sgt. David Novak, a satellite communications expert, who ensure the teams on the ground and in the air can talk to each other through multiple venues.

He deployed with a new communications package that the Department of Defense wanted to field test, and in 30 days he taught himself the system and had it operational. The teams have also used new equipment to beam communication lines through the air instead of having to rely on ground cables.

“The toughest part about our job has been venturing into some unknown territory with this new technology,” Sergeant Novak said. “But that’s been the greatest reward as well. We’ve found solutions for the first time that didn’t have ‘book answers.’”

It is also NCOs such as Tech. Sgt. Christopher Bates who have become the “go-to guy” throughout Iraq for radio maintenance issues. He is assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Texas, and ensures their patrols have reliable communications.

Then there are NCOs such as Tech. Sgt. Kevin Davis, a special operations team member who provides “eyes on target” to call in close-air support and who coordinates air assets for training the Iraqi counterterrorism force.

Training the Iraqis to provide for their own security needs has become a focus of the coalition mission this past year as Iraq prepares for the transition of sovereignty June 30.

Lt. Col. Joseph Snow said a majority of missions within the 9th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron have been to provide surveillance capabilities for the coalition and Iraqi security forces.

“We’re able to respond to threats in a quick, timely manner thanks to our TACPs,” he said. “For instance, one of our camps came under mortar attack in May injuring several people. Our TACPs coordinated a quick response from two F-15 fighters which then passed off intel to helicopter units, and to Iraqi and U.S. military police units that detained the perpetrators.

“We haven’t had any mortar rounds going off there since then,” Colonel Snow said. “We may not be actually dropping bombs on target, but we’re definitely making a difference in keeping our people safe.”

Control party people such as Sergeant Davis call in firepower and have done so with the Army since Sept. 11. This is his second tour to Iraq after having also served in Afghanistan. This time Sergeant Davis is working with the Army to train Iraqis to perform similar missions. The Iraqis acquired $65 million of Saddam Hussein’s money to buy weapons, gear and vehicles, and to build facilities and bring in support capabilities for the counterterrorism force.

Counterterrorism members were selected from throughout Iraq and have gone through a selection process before being assigned to the force.

“(The Iraqis have) come a long way in their training,” said Sergeant Davis, who coordinated helicopter support for fast-rope training with Iraqis recently. “When we were first teamed up several months ago, we had the lead on all logistical, operational and planning issues. Now they’re the ones planning and starting to take the lead in these areas. We still have a ways to go, but this group of soldiers will be the future trainers and leaders of the (counterterrorism force).”

One Iraqi soldier said his goal was to be the best-trained unit in the Middle East, while another thanked Americans for their help.

“Our motto is to lead with an Iron fist,” said one soldier who has never been in the army before. “We want to be the best. This training is very good and we thank you, America, for bringing this training to us.”

After the transition, the interim Iraqi government will determine how they want the Army and control party units to assist them in providing security for their country.

“We could stay busy, or we could completely change directions,” Colonel Roghair said. “I don’t know what (operations) tempo the future brings.”